'Ella' charms with girl power

The girls' fairy tale "Ella Enchanted" takes place in a mysterious parallel universe of castles and thatched cottages, fairies in bare-midriff tops, medieval shopping malls, talking snakes and characters capable of turning any given moment into a music video. Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries"), she of the dazzlingly wide eyes and Julia Roberts smile, plays Ella, a motherless girl cursed with the gift of obedience — thanks to a clueless fairy at her birth, she must do whatever she is told.

Part "Cinderella," part "The Wizard of Oz" and part MTV, the story follows Ella through a perilous journey, at the end of which she finds independence, empowerment, romance and a snappy Elton John song to sing.

Movie review Showtimes and trailer **½ "Ella Enchanted," with Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Patrick Bergin, Joanna Lumley, Aidan McArdle, Lucy Punch, Jennifer Higham, Vivica Fox, Minnie Driver. Directed by Tommy O'Haver, from a screenplay by Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, and Jennifer Heath and Michele J. Wolff, based on the novel by Gail Carson Levine. 95 minutes. Rated PG for some crude humor and language. Several theaters.

Wearing what look like castoffs from Liv Tyler's "Lord of the Rings" wardrobe, Hathaway's sweetly earnest performance makes this ambitious and occasionally downright weird tale work. Joanna Lumley ("Absolutely Fabulous") as the wicked stepmother and Aidan McArdle as a disgruntled singing elf (tired of performing for "the Man," he wants to be a lawyer) contribute funny supporting turns.

No fewer than five screenwriters are credited for the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink adaptation of Gail Carson Levine's novel; I only wish I knew which one was responsible for the line "Stop tonguing the foyer!" (uttered in a plummy British accent), which deserves some sort of award. Director Tommy O'Haver, who's certainly unafraid of looking silly, gives it all a likable zaniness and a nice girl-power message. Grown-ups may roll their eyes, but it's not for them — preteen girls with princess fantasies rule this kingdom.

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com.